VISITORS APPRECIATED KINDNESS, TREATMENT

We recently visited O'ahu and loved every minute until my wife had her arm badly broken when she was hit by a rogue wave on the North Shore.

Immediately two young men offered to help. One helped us get our belongings to our car and the other drove in front of us to direct us to the Kahuku Medical Center.

We couldn't have been more pleased with the professional and courteous manner in which we were treated. Dr. Archbold applied a splint, a sling and friendly reassurance. The nurse from New Zealand, the X-ray technician and the receptionist were all exemplary in their performances.

We would like to thank all who were involved and will definitely visit again.

Dave Blakney and Pam Sheridan | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

LEGISLATURE

LAWMAKERS SHOW INCREDIBLE HYPOCRISY

This year's legislative session is the most hypocritical in all my 20 years of voting. The Legislature won't ban fireworks, no matter how noisy it can be even before Halloween; but they will ban leaf blowers because they are too noisy. Would anyone like to come and do my yard work during the week while I work?

They won't ban fireworks, even though it causes so many people breathing problems; but they will ban candy in schools and foie gras in restaurants because it's not good for us. Did they all get to become doctors while we weren't looking?

Candy sales have been basic fundraising for school clubs/squads, etc., since I was in high school 20-plus years ago. Are they going to give school kids extra money to replace what they're going to lose? Isn't it up to parents/adults to decide what to/not to eat?

But the worst one of all no money, no money, budget shortfall, furloughs, layoffs; but, let's build the rail.

allison osaki | Honolulu

ROD TAM

IDEA TO CHANGE RULES IS JUST A DISTRACTION

Rod Tam is now suggesting the City Council eliminate discretionary funds altogether.

This newest resolution by Rod Tam is nothing more than a smoke-and-mirrors routine to shift attention from getting caught with his fingers in the cookie jar.

Rod Tam misused city funds for personal use because he is a first-class crook, or incompetent, or both.

Either way, as long as Rod Tam is in public office, "we the people" will continue to be on the losing end of his shenanigans.

joe chavez | Honolulu

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

CARLISLE CAN'T WEAR TWO HATS AT ONCE

It didn't take long for City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle's foray into politics to tarnish his squeaky-clean reputation.

He recognizes the conflict of interest in bringing criminal charges against Rod Tam, his opponent in his campaign for mayor. But his decision not to investigate Tam is hardly a solution. The conflict of interest is still there. Carlisle simply put his interest in becoming mayor above his interest in doing his job.

By deciding to run for mayor while retaining his position as prosecutor, Carlisle created a situation where conflicts are likely to arise. Trying to wear these two hats makes him largely responsible for his current conflict of interest.

The obvious way to eliminate the conflict of interest is either to end his campaign for mayor or resign his position so someone can carry out the prosecutor's responsibility.

lane yoder | Kan[0xeb]'ohe

CONDOS

BLUESTONE RESIDENT PLEASED WITH CHANGE

Regarding the article about conflicts within condo associations featuring Bluestone ("Conflicts between condo owners, associations, on rise," March 14), there are several points I would make, prefaced by the comments that I am the spouse of an owner and that we moved here from the Mainland in May 2007 into a unit that my wife has owned for several years.

First, kudos to Rob Perez and the editors for a presentation of the award amounts that makes it starkly evident that the only real winners in these situations are the attorneys.

Second, our unit is not for sale, but it should be noted for the sake of all that Bluestone is beautiful, now in excellent repair, with solid financials. This was not the case when we arrived; the change has been profound and very positive.

Third, regarding the $30,000 award for "diminished marketability of unit," the arbitrator specifically cites common elements deficiencies as the reason for the award. This would seem to make all owners due such an award, which makes no sense as who other than the owners ultimately pays for any award? The arbitrator apparently failed to appreciate this illogicality, which leads me to question the legitimacy of his whole finding. One must ask, where else did the arbitrator's judgment fail?

john medlock | Kailua

MARIJUANA SHOPS

POT EDITORIAL OFFERED NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE

Your editorial "Marijuana shops? a bad idea" (March 10) is itself a bad idea.

There is mounting proof that marijuana has important medical uses and that it's safer than other legal substances, such as tobacco and alcohol. See ProCon.org.

Hawai'i law legalizes marijuana for people who get physician-certified as having a debilitating medical condition. Past efforts to improve the law have failed, largely for unsupportable reasons.

A major problem has been that if a certified patient or the patient's designated caregiver cannot grow and process the medical marijuana themselves — and many can't — they have to acquire it illegally, on the street. Most patients seeking medical marijuana, especially the elderly, elect to go without medical marijuana, no matter how effective, rather than break the law.

To provide a remedy to persons with debilitating conditions and then to deny it to patients who would rather suffer than break the law is cruel and irresponsible.

And so is your editorial opposing dispensaries without suggesting other legal ways of getting the drug to patients who need it but can't get it legally. These include decriminalizing cannabis, except for minors, and legalizing but taxing and regulating marijuana use.

Shame!

richard s. miller | Honolulu

CATALUNA COLUMN

CHIEF'S STORY SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING

Lee Cataluna's column on Honolulu's Police Chief Kealoha ("Hard-earned route to top," March 14), should be made mandatory reading for all our high school students. It would serve as a great motivator for learning and provide reason for those who plan to quit school not to.

Our police chief has proven you don't have to win every game to be successful, that success is achievable as long as you don't give up and quit.

bill punini prescott | Wai'anae